plural sepses
ˈsep-ˌsēz 
: a potentially life-threatening, systemic response of the immune system that results from the spread of pathogenic agents (such as bacteria or viruses) and their toxins to the bloodstream from a localized infection (as of the lungs), that involves both inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity, that is marked especially by fever, chills, rapid heart rate and breathing, fatigue, confusion, increased blood coagulation, hypotension, impaired microcirculation, and organ dysfunction, and that may progress to septic shock
Note: The primary cause of sepsis is pneumonia with secondary causes commonly including infections of the abdominal cavity and urinary tract.
compare septicemiaExamples of sepsis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He infection had spiraled into sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition when the body responds improperly to an infection.
—
Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 10 July 2025
In the first few months of his life, Phoenix underwent several open-heart surgeries, including one in June 2017 that led to complications from sepsis.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
The data mirrors a sharp rise in cases of sepsis — a life-threatening reaction to infection — ProPublica previously identified during second-trimester miscarriage in Texas.
—Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 2 July 2025
There have been rare reports of systemic infections, including sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis (i.e. flesh-eating bacteria).
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sepsis
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 10 July 2025
In the first few months of his life, Phoenix underwent several open-heart surgeries, including one in June 2017 that led to complications from sepsis.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
The data mirrors a sharp rise in cases of sepsis — a life-threatening reaction to infection — ProPublica previously identified during second-trimester miscarriage in Texas.
—Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 2 July 2025
There have been rare reports of systemic infections, including sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis (i.e. flesh-eating bacteria).
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sepsis
Cite this Entry
“Sepsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sepsis. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
sepsis
noun
sep·sis
ˈsep-səs
plural sepses
ˈsep-ˌsēz
: a potentially life-threatening, systemic response of the immune system that results from the spread of pathogenic agents (as bacteria or viruses) and their toxins to the bloodstream from a localized infection (as of the lungs), that involves both inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity, and that is marked especially by fever, chills, rapid heart rate and breathing, fatigue, confusion, increased blood coagulation, hypotension, impaired microcirculation, and organ dysfunction, and that may progress to septic shock
Note: The primary cause of sepsis is pneumonia with secondary causes commonly including infections of the abdominal cavity and urinary tract.
compare multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, septicemiaLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share